Locations noted include Geelong Vic, Holbrook NSW, Brisbane Qld, Fremantle, Exmouth and Albany WA, Cockatoo Island, Sydney Harbour and former HMAS PLATYPUS, Sydney NSW. Details are in the calendar below. Events listed will assist to inform and engage the Australian public and international visitors on the history and future of the Australian Submarine Force:

Month/Year

Proposed Activity

Location

2014

Jan-Feb

Book Launch: A Century of Silent Service - Australian Submariners - Dr G. Seal/L. Blake

All states, various locations TBA

March

Book Launch: Australian Submarines Edition 2 - Dr M.D. White QC

All states, various locations TBA

March

RAN History Touring Display

All states, various locations TBA

April

Submarine History Showcase Naval Heritage Centre

NSW and Vic

April

Submarine OTWAY: 1968-1994 Reunion Dinner

Holbrook, NSW

April

Book Launch: The Mystery of AE1 and its Crew - Dr K. Spurling

Holbrook, NSW

April

RAN Exercises its Right to Freedom of the City/ ANZAC Day Parade

Holbrook, NSW

April

Public Ceremony Opening Day - AE1 Display

Holbrook, NSW

25 April

ANZAC Day

All states, various locations TBA

May

Book Launch: Australian Warship - Submarines - Mr P. Smith (SAA)

All states, various locations TBA

24 May

Re-enactment: Centenary of AE1/AE2 Arrival

Sydney Harbour

May

AE1/AE2 & USN Submarine History Display

City of Albany History Centre

September

Book Launch: Stoker's Submarine (Rev) - Mrs E. Brenchley

All states various locations TBA

14 September

Centenary of the loss of HMAS AE1 off New Britain

1 November

Re-enactment of first AIF Convoy sailing from Albany, WA

King George's Sound, Albany

November

Commemoration of early submarine base, book launch

Geelong, Victoria

SUB 100 Week

7 November

Freedom of Entry Parade

Fremantle, WA

7 November

Meet and Greet Function

Fremantle, WA

8 November

SAA AGM

Fremantle, WA

8 November

Submariners' Gala Dinner

Fremantle, WA

9 November

Fremantle Festival Parade

Fremantle, WA

9 November

Memorabilia Day

Fremantle, WA

10 November

Photo Exhibition Launch

Fremantle, WA

11 November

Remembrance Day

Fremantle, WA

11 November

Opening Reception, SIA Conference

Fremantle, WA

12 November

SIA 7th Biennial Conference Day 1

Fremantle, WA

12 November

AE2/Education Program with Schools

Fremantle, WA

12 November

SIA Conference Dinner

Fremantle, WA

13 November

SIA 7th Biennial Conference Day 2

Fremantle WA

13 November

SUB Film Festival

Fremantle, WA

14 November

Hail and Farewell to all visitors

Fremantle, WA

Click here to download a printer-friendly version of the calendar (1 MB PDF).

Celebrations culminate in late 2014 with activities, conferences and commemorative services in Fremantle WA. Raising the submarine profile continuously through to 2014, other submarine history items are being promoted and pursued at every opportunity.

Submarine monographs are being distributed for publication in journals and magazines across Australia and beyond. Distribution of the AE2 plaques generates interest wherever they are installed.

A book addressing the significance of AE2 was launched in March 2010; this led to press and radio exposure followed by guest speaking requests from Rotary and RSL Clubs. There is always strong general public and media interest in submarines.

Important supporting events include SIA Biennial Conferences and One Day workshops: November 2010-2014. Opportunities always exist to promote Australia’s submarine history.

Credentialed comment by SIA addressing Australia’s submarine history and future development is to be exploited.

The SIA and Submarines Association Australia will send a delegation to the 2011 International Submarine Congress inviting the ISC to Fremantle in 2014. ISC is an annual global conference of International Submariners Associations.

Ceremonies and conference groups will attract approx total of 1200 delegates and visitors.

Submarine Review Fremantle: Jane’s Fighting Ships list 43 nations operating submarines. These countries are the target group for SIA Invitations and Expression-Of-Interest to have a boat in Fremantle for Centenary Celebrations in Nov 2014.

Dolphin Scholarship: At no cost, the Winston Churchill Trust Australia has agreed to be administrators of the SIA Dolphin Scholarship. An SIA Scholarship Board will be appointed to draw up scholarship details with the SIA controlling conditions and selection for the Dolphin award. Churchill Trust fellowships are research grants of approx $24,000 covering international travel and living costs over 4-6 weeks anywhere in the world. This scholarship will operate exclusively for Australian nationals. SIA Inc will raise investment funds in support of the Dolphin Fellowship.

Books: Research and compilation continues on preparation of three commemorative books which will be launched in locations across Australia commencing February 2014.

The main book will encompass 50,000 words, 55 photographs and will contain research and biographic material focused on Australian submarine people and their stories. As an integral element of the 2014 Centenary of the Australian Submarine Service, initiated by the SIA, this is a major historical submarine research project. The project is building towards the compilation and publication of a commemorative book in the final quarter of 2013 for the Submarine Centenary year.

A general rather than specialised volume, the book will be generously illustrated with appropriate period photographs and concentrating on the social and cultural aspects of a submariner’s life. Readership will be submariners, their families and the public. The book will draw in the considerable body of archival and oral history research already published plus aspects to be completed in 2011-12.

Together with an appendix of national and international Australian submarine heritage, the book will include a foreword by an eminent Australian and acknowledgement of the sponsor contribution to Australia’s Submarine Service yesterday and tomorrow.

Chapters include :

Introduction

1. The first Australian Submariners

2. AE1 and AE2

3. The J-Boats

4. Australian Submariners in X-craft

5. Australian Submariners in World War II

6. Cold War Submariners

7. The Collins Class

8. The Present and Future

Other Publications

History of Australian Submarines II
Revised. Dr Michael White QC, Qld

The Men of AE1
Dr Kathryn Spurling, Visitor, School of History, Australian National University, ACT

Queens Colours: These would be an Australian White Ensign endorsed with Royal Insignia: Australia’s Submarine Veterans welcome the proposal. SIA is seeking RAN Submarine Force support. Such an award recognises 100 years of service by Australian submariners in what has been in the main, a Commonwealth conflict. Start point is Office of Governor General Australia.

Development of the Australian Submarine Centenary celebration continues to be generously supported by the Royal Australian Navy, Australian Submarine Veterans and Naval Historians in addition to those of the United States of America, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

To download an information flyer, click here. Click here to contact Lloyd Blake, SIA lead for the Centenary of Submarines.